Adjustable platform for windows.



Y No. 860,073. PATENTED JULY 16, 1907.

G. E. BALBAGH'.

ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM FOR WINDOWS.

, APPLICATION FILED AUG.6. 1906.

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CARL ETBALBAOH, OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM FOR WINDOWS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 16, 1907.

Application filed August 6, 1906. $or1'al No. 329,300.

To all whom it may concern:

'Be it known that CARL E. BALBACH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Platforms for Windows, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in adjustable platform for windows, and has for its object the provision of a platform which may be supported from a window-sill and the outer wall of a building in a manner so that the floor of the platform will be projected substantially horizontal and occupy a position adjacent to the window upon the outside of the building.

The device is intended as a convenient and safe article for use of janitors or workmen while washing windows or working upon the outside of buildings.

The invention has reference to certain features of adjustment so that it may be used where the walls have different thickness, and has reference to portability, in connection with solidity, so that it may be reliable as to strength for all occasions, and may also have a lightness of construction so that it may be operatively placed without inconvenience and may be readily moved, as from one window to another. I

With these and other objects in view the invention presents a novel construction and arrangement of parts as described herein and as illustrated by the drawings, wherein,-

Figure 1 is a vertical side-view of the invention in operative position upon a window sill, the sill and wall of the building being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one of the foldable supporting-arms taken between lines a b and c d of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, and Fig. 4 a front view of the invention. Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the engaging-hooks. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the platform, showing a series of apertures formed therein. Fig. 7 is a perspective View of a platform-arm. I

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 represents a platform, preferably of wood material, of a length corresponding to the width of an ordinary window of a building, and having a width suitable to accommodate a workman and his working tools thereon; and, for the purposes of the invention I construct a pair of platformarms 2, preferably of metal, each arm of said pair having one of its ends formed as a hinge connection 3, and provided with a series of apertures 4 near its opposite end; one of these arms is transversely placed near each of the ends of and beneath the platform and secured thereto in any suitable manner; I construct supportingarms 5, also of metal, and upon their outer faces secure cross-pieces 6 thereon; these cross-pieces are preferably constructed of light metal strips and are emploved for the purpose of holding these arms in a substantially parallel position; and provide the hinge connection 6 upon the inner ends of arms 5, their opposite or free ends 7 being curved outwardly. Each arm 5 is preferably formed as a flattened strip or bar 8 (Fig. 2.), having the transversely formed ridge 9 which extends along its inner middle surface, this particular construction being for the purpose of materially strengthening these arms and adding as little weight as possible; and I employ flexible members, as the chains 10, one of these chains being connected, as with eyes 11 and 12 positioned upon each arm 2 and 5, respectively, upon their inner faces and between their hinge-connection and outer ends. I

As thus constructed, the arms 2 and 6 are employed as pairs and foldable inwardly, their outward movement .being limited by chains 10; and upon the platform are secured engaging-hooks 12 formed with shanks 13 having a pair of bolts 14 passing therethrough; platform 1 is provided with a series of apertures 15 corresponding with apertures 4 of arms 2, and bolts 14 are adapted to pass through apertures 4 and 15, thereby furnishing a means of adjustment so that hooks 12 may be positioned at a greater or less distance, as desired, from the adjacent edge of the platform; and this adjustment is required, as is apparent, for the general use of the invention, since the distance from the window-sill 16 to the outer surface 17 of the wall will vary, with different buildings.

Having described the invention and its several parts fully, operation will be readily understood. The device is passed through a window-opening from the inside, hooks 12 engaging the inner edge of the windowsill, arms 5 dropping downward so that the curved ends 7 rest against the wall, and held by the chains, as shown by Fig. 1. In order that the window-sill may not be defaced I employ the facings 17, of soft material, upon the inner curved faces of hooks 12 suitably attached thereto, which prevents injury; and when the device is operatively placed, as mentioned, platform 1 is sustained at substantially a right angle to the wall 18 of a building and is adapted to bear a considerable weight,

as the strain, by reason of the construction is distributed to advantage. The device may be readily removed from its operative position, and it is considered that the outward curvature of ends 7 of arms 5 prevent, in a measure, the abrasion of the wall of the building.

The invention consists of few parts and maybe readily assembled, and when folded occupies only a limited space, and is a very useful artice to have at residences when washing windowsor working upon buildings.

What I claim as my invention is,

1. A device as described, comprising supporting-arms each having a longitudinal ridge formed upon its body and having an outwardly curved outer end apertured platfornrarms each of said supporting-arms and apertured platform-arms being hingeably mounted at one of their ends as pairs; a flexible member mounted upon and con necting each apertured platform-arm and each supportingarm of said pairs an apertured platform secured upon said apertured platform-arms; a pair of engaginghooks transversely mounted upon and extended beyond said platform; and means within the apertures of the platformarms and said platform to adjust the degree of extension of said engaging-hooks beyond said platform.

2. In combination, a device of the class described, com prising supportingarms each formed as a flattened bar with a longitudinal ridge upon its body and having an outwardly curved outer end; apertured platform arms; each of said supp0rtingarn1s and apertured platform-arms being hingeably mounted at one of their ends as pairs; a flexible member mounted upon and connecting each apertured platform-arm and supporting-arm of said pairs; an apertured platform secured upon said apertured platformarm; a pair of engaging-hooks transversely disposed upon and extended beyond said platform, each of said engaging hooks having a pair of securing-bolts traversing the apertures of the platform and platform-arms.

3. In combination, a device as described, comprising supporting-arms each formed as a flattened bar with a longitudinal ridge upon its body and having an outwardly curved free end; apertured platformarms; each of said supp01'tingarms and apertured platform-arms being hingeably mounted at one of their ends as pairs said supportingarms secured parallel with'reference to each other by means of crossingbars therebetween; a flexible member mounted upon and connecting each apcrtured platformarm and supportingarm of said pairs; an apertured platform secured upon said apertured platform-arms; a pair of transversely disposed arms upon and extended beyond said platform, each of said transversely disposed arms provided with an engaging-hook upon its free end and having a contact-strip 17 upon its inner surface; each of said transversely disposed arms provided with a pair of securingbolts traversing the apertures of said platform and platform-arms.

In testimony whereof he has affixed his signature in presence of two witnesses.

CARL E. BALBAQII. Witnesses ARTHUR STURGES, HIRAM A. STURGES. 

